Category Archives: Murphy Products

As we know brewing is a fantastic industry with great people, art, science, creativity and flavour! Additions towards the end of the boil can include; flavoursome late hops, the all-important Protafloc, yeast nutrients and a wide range of sugars spices and speciality ingredients.

However, with any process involving vast quantities of boiling sugary liquid there are risks and it is worth taking some time to give some tips from our team’s collective experiences to make kettle additions as safe as possible.

There are a vast array of brew-kettle designs out there, so this is not an exhaustive list, but it should cover some of the keys points should you have to make additions through the manway door. Feel free to post any further insights you feel are valid.

Make sure the heat source isoff! This seems like an obvious one but with the hectic brewing schedules and multi-tasking that can go on in a brewery it is easily done on manual kits with no lock out protection.

Linked to the one above, ensure that leaks or faulty valves do not make you think you have turned off the heat source when you haven’t.

Staff Training, structured procedures, working instructions and relevant safety equipment. This not only helps protect the people in the brewery but also the business if an accident were to happen.

Clean chimney flue, free of blockages!

If possible mixing/agitation to prevent “heat pockets” these can be disturbed by the additions, leading to a boil over.

Regular cleaning of the element: This should prevent uneven heating which can produce boil over issues, alongside which it’ll also save you a bit of money through greater energy efficiency and have wort beer quality benefits.

Antifoam: As the name suggests using this will reduce the likelihood of bubbles forming leading to extra capacity, better hop utilisation, easier cleaning and counter intuitively better final beer foam as foam positive proteins are not wasted upstream in the process. This should not be relied upon by itself as a safety measure as the safety benefits are offset by the use of the extra capacity.

Sacrificial/test additions: A small amount say 10% of the total additions can be added to reduce the severity of nucleation affects. The rest can be even added in small stages if required.

Having an escape route! If a boil over was to happen, keeping access free and visible so that everyone can get out of the way.

Sharing information and best practise with other brewers. Learning from mistakes is very powerful and being open and honest about accidents & near misses may very well help protect a brewer in the future

Author: Adam Johnson

Headline image courtesy of the Younger Members Network – Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

There is no disputing that the India Pale Ale or IPA is a staple that’s here to stay. From its humble origins as a practical way to ship beer across the Empire to our modern craft interpretations, IPA has fast become a mainstay of every quality beer emporium. Spurred by the current Pied Piper of brewing: hops, drinkers are fast becoming used to and acquiring a taste for this lupulin driven excitement, whether it be a DIPA, Farmhouse, Belgian, Traditional, Black or New England, to name but a few. In addition to which, this lupelin furore is showing no sign of stopping! Enter Brut IPA, the new kid on the block. So, could we now be entering the era of the Brut IPA? Recent trends witnessed here at Murphys would suggest so, that Brut IPA is fast becoming the must brew style of 2018.

Unlike the name might suggest, this beer style has no connection with the cheap aftershave still available at a discount price from your closest Superdrug! In fact, its namesake is much more sophisticated, tasteful and considerably more expensive per bottle. We are of course talking about Champagne or more accurately the scale used to describe the sweetness of Champagne.

Picture courtesy of dracaenawines.com

As you will see, Brut is the second driest champagne available and it’s this dry palate that is the key weapon in the arsenal of this revered style (oh yes, there are of course Extra Brut IPA’s being brewed too). What else makes this beer stand out? You guessed it, hops by the bucket load! Lots and lots of juicy, fruity hop flavours but all from late additions; nobody likes their beer to be extra dry and bitter. Original gravities for this style typically range from the gentle 1045 up to 1070 and remember to keep the malt grist pale and simple. Though to achieve true Brut status you’ll need a low final gravity.

Origins of many modern beer styles are often shrouded in mystery, hearsay and myth. In contrast the Brut IPA has a largely undisputed founding brewery, with San Francisco’s Social Brewing leading the way in late 2017. In the brewing industry’s true spirit of collaboration, their brewer, Kim Sturdavant fast shared the secrets of this new quaffable success with fellow local brewers and it’s from that pocket of California that word has spread.

At the risk of stirring the pot…

During our discussions about the content of this blog post we realised that, since 2012 Murphy and Son have already been supplying a UK brewery to aid in the production of something very similar! St Austell Brewery’s Big Job is a multi-award winning Double IPA with a wort of OG 1057 which attenuates right down to 998.5 and 7.2% ABV, balanced by a large dry hop addition this seems bang on for a Brut IPA to us! We’ll leave that thought with you.

So, how do we Brut-up an IPA?

Most brewers are turning to the power of enzymes, more specifically Amyloglucosidase (AMG to you and me). This enzyme acts by removing glucose from dextrins / oligosaccharides in a step by step manner, working along the non reducing end by hydrolysing both linear α -1,4 and branching α- 1,6 bonds. The removal of these dextrins eliminates any residual body and sweetness in the beer whilst providing extra fermentable glucose for the yeast!

AMG can be added in the mash to boost fermentability and extract, however, brewers of Brut IPA’s are choosing to add it directly to chilled wort (3-8g per hl) with rates dependant on required rate of attenuation. Using this method, production of super-attenuated Brut IPA is easy, and thus making a final gravity of close to and below 1000 is achievable.

Top tip: Why not consider using sugars to raise the gravity of your brew? Dextrose monohydrate will raise the gravity without adding any further or non-fermentable sugars, helping keep the beer dry without adding body or colour.

From stouts with milk proteins for mouthfeel to ales composed from hop oils and malt extracts, specifically built stripping columns to boiling off the ethanol from the finished beer. There are an increasing number of brewers dipping their right toe and even diving head first into the field of NABLAB (non-alcoholic beer and low-alcoholic beer). And while the UK low/no market is still tiny in comparison to beer at large, or even Craft for that matter, representing less than 1% of total beer sales, its popularity is growing, especially among young drinkers. So, if you’ve already added an alcohol-free recipe to your repertoire then you’re totally on trend, you hipster you!

That’s right, the latest trend we’ve witnessed and which we think will only continue to gain momentum is the low percentage brew. We’re not saying that the rich, punchy and high ABV Craft 2/3 is going anywhere, or even that it’s under threat. Just, that trends like craft lager, clean (put an avocado on it) eating and vegan options are going to continue take an equal share of the limelight and are part of a trajectory towards further diversification into healthy NABLAB options. #DryJanuary (around the clock), or rather #TryJanuary – both are truly applicable here!

Say what now? Well, Heineken, Budweiser and San Miguel have all introduced 0.0% beers to the market and supported them with dedicated marketing campaigns for DryJanuary this year. AB InBev have even pledged that 20% of the beer they sell will be low or no by 2025, a big claim to make on a short-lived trend? Plus, BrewDog’s Nanny State has been a dependable part of their repertoire for many years, marketed initially as a reaction to the stink surrounding their 18% Tokyo, but as ever, devilishly ahead of the curve. Love it or hate it, NABLAB is more than just a fad and represents an opportunity for investment in a growing market, should you wish to take it.

Who cares? Well, if the brewers’ role is to meet customer demand (we know that’s not your only role really), then evidence strongly supports the existence of said demand for low or no. Recent research done by GlobalData shows a growing focus on healthy options and a parallel interest in lower alcohol alternatives. For instance, 38% of global consumers said health claims influence their choice of alcoholic drink. When looking at Great Britain in particular, the Office for National Statistics found that regular alcohol consumption is declining and teetotalism in those aged 16 to 44 is on the rise. A trend which is particularly prevalent among young people aged 16 to 24, who are less likely to drink than any other age group. The stereotype of the student weaving through life from party to party, punctuated only by hangovers and the odd deadline is something of the past! Rest in peace.

Looking for a catalyst, that moment to invest? Well, now really is the time! With the introduction of the ‘sugar tax’, the demand for an alternative to alcohol that won’t break the bank has never been higher. Ever winced at the cost of branded fizzy pop, marvelled at how your pint of orange juice and lemonade costs the same as the local real ale? Well, said conundrum bemoaned by teetotallers and designated drivers alike isn’t going anywhere. This is a call to arms brewers, we need you! There has got to be a better option.

We get it you say, we need to add a low or no brew to our range, can you get to the point and tell us how? There are many options available to the brewer looking to produce a final product for the low or no market. You can start at the beginning of the process by limiting the malt/water ratio to produce a lower original gravity or by choosing lower fermentable brewing materials for lower overall ethanol content. There’s the options that have me searching for my copy of Cool Runnings (tenuous link, maybe, excellent film, certainly): the ‘cold contact’ method of pitching your yeast in wort at near freezing temps; the method of fermenting the ‘second runnings’ from a previous mash #ReduceReuseRecycle; or that of ‘crash cooling’ when you’ve reached your desired gravity and alcohol content. There are also several methods of removing ethanol (expensive equipment may be required) and even the option to, well, water things down. All these options have costs and complexities to consider and will ultimately affect the overall beer flavour and mouthfeel; the skill lies in reducing this effect as much as possible.

Seem a bit complicated? Well, when isn’t it? We think we might have the answer! Technically speaking there is no such thing as beer without alcohol, as beer contains alcohol by definition, so really what we’re discussing here is a non-alcoholic malt beverage or brew. When you think about it like this, you open up a whole new creative space, separate to your usual brewery output. This is where CereX comes in, a malt extract that is the perfect clear compound for no and low beverages and which can be used for colour, smell, mouthfeel, taste and nutritional content.

CereX is a super high value natural malt extract, produced with a brewer’s philosophy. It is made initially in the same way as beer, well up to the point of wort boiling, so it’s made entirely from malted barley and brewing water. This also means that mashing, lautering and wort boiling are all performed in a state-of-the-art plant with the same strict levels of quality control and led by a passionate team with expert knowledge of brewing. Win! The first divergence from the standard brewing process occurs when the boiled wort is pumped through a series of vacuum plate heat exchangers. This evaporates the water content; enriching and concentrating the wort until a thick wort syrup is created. This is the natural cereal extract: CereX. It is then filtered for stability and to remove proteins leached from the malt, and finally stored in tanks at around 30°C ready for packaging. Once packaged it has a shelf life of 12 months and is available in 20kg and 235kg, oh and also heated road tankers for the big boys. It’s sterile, oxygen-free and very tasty! Plus, the clarity and stability of the extract means it’s perfect for all sorts of beverages.

Sound good? It’s even better once you’ve got it in the brewhouse (obviously). CereX is essentially an extra yummy concentrated malt extract, which requires you to dilute it to a specific gravity, say 1.045°OG, and then add aroma, flavouring and/or colouring to create the beverage in your mind’s eye (oh and you can carbonate it too if you’d like). Popular additions that spring to mind are a caramel to darken the drink, coffee flavourings, hop oils, bitters and acids. We recommend that when making these additions you do it on the cold side, to avoid cooked flavours and loss of aroma. But you’re the artists – you know what to do!

The rationale behind our confidence in CereX is multifaceted. The quality of the product is undeniable, providing the assurance you need when embarking on a new project like an alcohol-free brew. What’s also incredible, is that this quality doesn’t require huge investment for your brewery. Our industry is always seeking innovation and efficiency and this product provides this in spades; it’s a flavoursome base with almost endless possibilities of blending without time-consuming low or no specific procedures! Furthermore, the key difference CereX offers to NABLAB’s made by other processes, is that it has never come into contact with alcohol or yeast, thus making it acceptable to Muslims, those with a yeast intolerance and in fact, anyone looking to avoid alcohol and/or yeast altogether. For this reason, CereX is hugely popular in certain parts of the Middle East and Africa. Oh and CereX has health giving properties too. That’s right, healthy beer! Apart from some sugar, it is high in vitamins, amino acids, salts and certain proteins, making it the refreshing healthy option for the pub-goers not partial to pop or soft drinks we’d been so aspiring to cater for. So healthy is beer brewed via this route that German Olympians have been choosing it as an alternative to sports drinks! (We were shocked too!) CereX really is a low-cost, low-tech means to compete with the Heinekens, InBevs and Carlsbergs of the NABLAB world! A foundation for flavour without alcohol that can contribute to both the development and improvement of any low or no product! Contact us on techsupport@murphyandson.co.uk if you’d like to learn more.

When some very enterprising German brewers decided to store their beer in the frozen Bavarian Alps through the summer time in the early nineteenth century, little did they know of the impact there new “Lager” creation would have on the world of beer. Some of these brewers were so moved by the potential of this wonderous brew that they started to leave their Bavarian breweries to spread the word around Europe and refine this new brewing art. Many on the continent were so moved by the potential of Lager and the Lagering technique that many brewing enterprises started making related products of their own giving rise to styles like the Red Lagers of Vienna. Much credit also needs to be given to Bavarian brewer Josef Groll who, in 1842, took the brave step of heading to a little-known brewing town called Pilsen in the Czech Republic to try out his new lager recipe. Following on from this original Pilsner (Pilsner Urquell), innovations and developments in the likes of glass bottle manufacture and refrigeration coupled with a good helping of migration meant lager quickly became a worldwide success.

Lager is as popular as ever and whether its Pilsner, Helles, Vienna Lager or Schwarzbier you are considering brewing, Murphy and Son is the place for everything you need for a flavoursome quality lager.

Our much treasured, annual free of charge liquor analysis now includes a suggested liquor treatment for lager style beers as standard. If you have not had you liquor checked for a while and you are a Murphys customer please send 50ml of untreated water to our lab for us to check out for you.

Our suggested lager treatment aims for a brewing liquor with adequate calcium for good brewing enzyme activity, yeast flocculation and oxalate and protein precipitation whilst mimicking the low sulphate and chloride levels of Munich and Pilsen for a crisp, light flavour. This is best achieved with suitable additions of lactic acid to reduce alkalinity with low levels of calcium sulphate and calcium chloride to increase calcium ions.

Our new closer ties with Simpsons Malt means that we now have in stock ready for dispatch Finest Lager Malt (crushed). This highest quality malt is slightly higher in Total Nitrogen and slightly under-modified so head / foam and mouthfeel will survive the lagering process. To add to this quality base malt, we can also supply a range of crystal malts, caramalt, wheat malt and Vienna malt (all crushed) direct from our warehouse.

Whether you are looking for traditional varieties of Noble Czech Saaz and German Hallertau hops, or looking to add a dry hop twist to your brew with new world hop pellets, we are very proud of our close relationship with Charles Faram which means we can supply the best hops around to suit your requirements.

On the dried yeast front we are pleased to hold stock of Lallemand Diamond Lager Yeast and three different Fermentis Lager Yeasts. We also supply wet yeast cultures from the National Collection of Yeast Cultures (NCYC) which houses a vast range of lager strains originating from all over the world which can add the precise character you are looking for.

Flavour control

Diacetyl and Sulphur flavours can be problematic in lagers to help keep things under control we have the perfect products to help.

When added to wort at the start of fermentation, the enzyme Alpha Acetolactate Decarboxylate (ALDC) acts on the diacetyl precursor alpha acetolactate converting it to acetoin. If alpha acetolactate is not present diacetyl can’t be formed so no buttery off flavours in your beer and conditioning time can be reduced.

To help keep sulphur off flavours out of your beer, Murphys have developed two zetolite products for the job. Zetolite 65, when added to wort at the start of fermentation will prevent the formation of sulphur off flavours whilst if you notice the undesirable sulphurous aromas in your fermented product, the addition of Zetolite 63 will stimulate your yeast to reduce H2S and DMS aromas during maturation.

Don’t forget…

…an exuberant bright appearance is important with lagers and at Murphys we carry a huge range of finings and stabilisers to help achieve the desirable crisp look from brewers clarex to Super F, Silica and PVPP products, the Murphys Technical team is on hand to get this just right for you. PGA is also a handy product to help achieve a perfect looking head on dispense.

For further information on any of the products discussed or for general advice and trouble-shooting with lager brewing please contact the Murphys Technical Team.

We’ve been discussing the expected malt specifications for the coming year with our malt suppliers and wanted to feed back so you can prepare and tweak your recipes as required.

The malt nitrogens coming into breweries with the new seasons malt are likely to be higher than usual, at around 1.7%. The winters are not expected to be quite as high, but are still above average, predicted at up to 1.5%. This is a result of environmental factors, as last year saw low rainfall which made it harder for the barley to establish properly. Blame the British weather, it’s a national habit and we brewers are no different. You can however, prepare for this and if you need any technical support in doing so, we’re always on hand. The key implications revolve around your use of copper and auxiliary finings, the rates of which will need to be reoptimised once malt is in breweries and will likely increase. You can expect to see the first malts of this harvest in breweries across the country from mid-February onwards.

Could do with a bit more information on the matter? No problem!

It starts with the farmers, who sow different varieties of malting barley in autumn and early winter, known as “winters” and again in spring, known as “springs”, both of which are harvested from early July onwards. The latter are becoming more popular as they tend to be easier to grow but do require more fertiliser to get a decent yield by harvest time. Winters don’t require as much fertiliser making them cheaper for the farmer but extract value to the brewer tends to be less.

In brewing, we refer to the percentage of protein present in the malt as percentage nitrogen, it is quoted on malt analyses and used as a price guide and quality indicator. For example, feed barleys have a high protein content to feed the animals. Brewers however, want nitrogens to be lower, at around 1.4-1.5%. This provides enough yeast growth, flavour and beer foam without any substantial problems with haze, stability and excess yeast growth, above these levels and the later can become an issue. There is therefore, always a focus on this parameter at harvest and purchase time.

How come the percentage nitrogen is predicted as being higher in British malt this year?

The issue is in fact that of last year, where we saw a prolonged dry winter and spring in the main growing regions of the UK, resulting in crops not establishing well. To help crops along, farmers spread higher amounts of fertiliser which in turn pushed the nitrogens up. This is because the fertiliser is taken up by the growing plant and deposited in the developing ears of corn which are the grains harvested as barley for the malt crop. Had they not done this, the crop may well have failed altogether, something which did happen in a small number of districts resulting in some shortage too. The maltsters work with what they get off the fields, blending barleys to get an overall consistency which they can sell to brewers. However from a brewer’s perspective, with already high nitrogens and a limited supply, the quality of malt coming onto the market is weaker when compared to the previous years’ crop. Therefore, the forecast is less stable beer.

As brewers there are various techniques at our disposal to control protein (nitrogen) in the brewing process, and this is where we at Murphys specialise! Carrageenan and auxiliary finings are both process aids that remove this protein. It follows therefore, that brewers will require more of these products to treat the higher nitrogen malt expected this year. Something which we can support with our optimisation services and technical expertise, provided to you by a team of master brewers. Choosing Murphys will be an invaluable decision in 2018.

Since its launch, Super F has proven invaluable to many of the top craft breweries worldwide, providing great results for beer produced for keg, can and bottle whether filtered or unfiltered.

What is it?

Super F is a rapid action fining, made using our own special formulation of silicate and polysaccharide for rapid sedimentation. This unique blend makes Super F effective at fining out yeast as well as being an effective finings agent against potential haze forming colloids like proteins.

How’s it used?

Super F is best added when beer is moved from fermenting vessel to conditioning tank with care taken to ensure good mixing. It is not a suitable addition for cask conditioned beer and should never be dosed directly to cask. Action of this fining is quite rapid with excellent results achievable within 48 hours. Super F packs a real punch so dose rates are low with typical doses 75ml-175ml per hl will achieve great clarity (often less than 1 EBC) and a compact sediment.

Benefits

The rapid action of Super F will significantly reduce residency time in conditioning / maturation vessel. When using this product, the load on centrifuges and filters will be significantly reduced due to brighter beer being presented for further processing. This gives considerable time and money savings per run.

When kegging unfiltered beer, yeast counts and protein content in the product will be lower and more consistent, leading to a more stable product.

Super F is also vegan friendly and is easy to store (just don’t freeze it!) with a shelf-life of 6 months from manufacture date. Furthermore, Super F is also in accordance with German Purity Law (set into force by the German provisional beer law in its current version 9 [6]).

Finings trials

Introducing a new finings regime to any brewery is a big step. At Murphy and Son, we pride ourselves on our technical support so before any brewer uses this product we ask that they send a representative two litre sample of their beer to our laboratory where our Research and Development Scientist Dr Ruth Newby and the rest of the lab team will set up optimisation trials. This will give valuable information on haze and sediment levels for different dosages to provide a starting point for trials and additions in the brewery. As always, our technical sales team will also be on hand to aid and advise on the products use.

Suitable for 1,000 litre tanks for all your IBC spill containment needs. The bund stands are constructed from high impact resistant GRP and incorporate a lining that is resitant to most chemicals. Please check compatability of chemical if in doubt. Dimensions: w1570mm x D1670mm x H650mm.

We all go into the new year with ambitions and resolutions, invent a hangover-free ale being a fine example (we’ll leave you with that one). There really isn’t a better time to share some of our aspirations for the new year and celebrate the triumphs of 2017, so ‘happy new beer’ from us all here at Murphy & Son Ltd!

To kick things off we’ve an incredible company milestone from 2017; the launch of Murphy & Son Inc, which saw us solidify our position in the US market. This is only the start of our expansion into the US and global markets more broadly, something we look forward to reporting back on as our endeavours across the pond develop. For now, we are pleased to announce Murphy & Son Inc. is operational. ‘To infinity and beyond!’

Now for a little closer to home. Our site has seen considerable expansion and investment this year, through the installation of our new reception, chilled warehouse and can wash facility. The new can and IBC washers will allow us to clean 800 cans and 50 IBCs in a day! Something which we’re confident will help improve our returnable drum service and supports our food grade commitments.

Our new warehouse with state-of-the-art racking will allows us to double out storage capacity and provide more temperature controlled storage to improve product quality even further!

We’re proud to promote some changes already being set into motion in our Laboratory too. Lab analysis turnaround times have become an even more central focus for the team, as we know you brewers always want your results yesterday! Plus, in the new year we’re taking this one step further and launching a new range of due diligence packages, which will provide structured ongoing quality assurance.

We’d also like to congratulate two of our laboratory team on achieving their General Certificate in Brewing. Well done Adam Divall and Ruth Newby for expanding the expertise of the Murphy team even further!

With a real sense of growth and innovation gaining momentum in our company in 2017, we go into 2018 enthused and ready to continue providing and expanding upon our first-rate customer service. You, our customers, are the driving force behind all the changes we’re making structurally, so we can ensure better service and quality from our one-stop-shop.

‘Look to the future now, it’s only just begun!’

Finally, we’d also like to congratulate you all on another record breaking year and Christmas period. We’ve experienced first-hand your dedication, the incredible batch sizes and the growth of breweries from new kids on the block to established brands. It’s an incredible time to be part of the industry and we’re proud to be at the centre of it working to support each and every one of you, as we have been for 130 years.

In 2018 we’re committed to continuing to improve our service and range so that you can ensure excellence in your brew. Any feedback for us or new year’s resolutions you’d recommend, let us know via info@murphyandson.co.uk or call us for a chat on 0115 978 5494.

We leave you with a quote from British wordsmith himself William Shakespeare…

We at Murphy & Son Ltd are proud to announce a new design of layer broad, produced in collaboration with Hallam Plastics; the M&H Layer Board. Our design is more durable, weather resistant, safe and strong.

Layer boards are a staple in every brewery and used throughout the supply line. They’re not, however, without their bugbears; prone to cracking in frosty conditions, warping under heavy use and collecting rain water (a cold shower every brewer has begrudgingly suffered once). So at Murphy & Son we thought it about time someone reinvented the wheel.

As with every Murphy product, our Layer Board is designed with the brewer and brewery in mind. It’s compatible with numerous automated systems and manufactured from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), a superior non-brittle plastic that won’t crack or split in sub-zero temperatures and is impact resistant. Manufactured using engineered structural foam (ESF), the board boasts a high strength to weight ratio, compared to conventional injection moulding techniques. Plus, we’ve even added a simple drainage system so rain water can no longer collect. HDPE is stronger, more durable, more rigid and more resistant to the sunlight’s UV rays than conventional polypropylene, ensuring safer loading and unloading for draymen and fewer breakages.

The board’s superior manufacture is coupled with business acumen. It’s 100% recyclable and returnable for supply chain cost effectiveness. Plus, our boards can be customised; available in a range of colours and with the option to add a logo. A radio-frequency identification tag facility is also available upon request, to enable accurate tracking, deter theft and enhance security. We’ve left no stone unturned.

Interested in learning more about our new MurphyHallam Layer Board design or looking for a quotation? Please contact Peter Lawley on 07917 305140 orpete.lawley@murphyandson.co.uk

Can I purchase LalBrew New England East Coast Ale Yeast or WildBrew Sour Pitch from Murphy & Son? The answer is yes! Interested? Please email frances.maud@murphyandson.co.uk or call 0115 978 5494 for prices, advice and availability.

So, what can you expect from these two Lallemand latest? The newest kid on the block is LalBrew New England, officially unveiled yesterday (Nov 13th ’17) and it’s an innovation that’s already causing a stir!

The LalBrew New England is a ready-to-use dried strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae which has been selected for its specific ability to allow hop flavours to remain prominent while also providing the fruity notes championed by the ‘East Coast’ style. The ‘East Coast’ style is a sister style to its West Coast counterpart, but with yeast that naturally produces fruity aromas. An ale with a mixed bouquet of fruit and hops on the nose and when tasted, which is sometimes brewed cloudy and sometimes not.

As we’ve already said, Lalbrew New England is causing quite a stir, the Murphy sales team have already received enquiries and that’s before its official release! In fact, this new yeast has been produced in reaction to a number of customer requests, hence our confidence in its relevance and popularity. It’s also been seen very favourably in the trials executed by several breweries. Like to trial this yourself? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

LalBrew New England isn’t the only innovation we’ve seen from Lallemand recently. The first product in the new WildBrew line, Sour Pitch, has also been making heads turn. A zesty addition to your brew style.

WildBrew Sour Pitch, is a ready-to-use dried bacteria. A strain of Lactobacillus plantarum specifically selected for its ability to produce a wide range of sour beer styles. Some of the styles you can brew with Sour Pitch include, Berliner Weisse, Gose, Lambic, American Wild and Sour IPA. In addition to which, if you choose Sour Pitch when brewing your sour beer style of choice, you can ensure unmatched consistency, effortless application, fully assured performance and unparalleled purity!

What’s the brewing industry reaction? Several breweries around the world have executed highly successful pilot brewing trials with Sour Pitch, the results of which have been overwhelming positive. Pair this with the huge buzz we’ve seen in the industry around Sour Pitch since its release at Drinktec 2017 and it’s undeniable that everyone is looking to try it, or rather “unlock their sour potential”.

Finally, WildBrew Sour Pitch has been designed to assist creativity in brewing, but here are a few tips for its application. The ideal temperature for inoculation of WildBrew Sour Pitch is: 35-38C (95-100.5F) optimal but 30-40C (86-104F) will result in effective souring and the recommended inoculation rate is 10g/hL.